From insight to action: What to do after a health assessment

Sometimes health concerns don’t just come from a single glaring symptom – sometimes they come from a dip in energy, your appetite not being what it normally is or just having that feeling that something’s not quite right. You might not be able to put your finger on what feels wrong, but you know your body and that something feels different. Sound familiar? You aren’t alone.

We found that 86% of people we asked would be interested in getting insight into their health with a health assessment – not necessarily because they are unwell but because they want some peace of mind and would also want to see ways they could improve their health day to day. In this article we will explore the importance of listening to your body, how health assessments can offer insight, what to do once you have your results and why acting early – even when nothing seems ‘wrong’ - can be one of the smartest health decisions you make.

Listening to your body

When it comes down to it - you know your body best. While things such as aches, pains, a dip in energy or appetite changes may not be a huge cause for concern, if it is something that is different from your normal and you can’t pinpoint any reasons for these things happening then it is important that you take action.

Our 2024 consumer research found that 52% of participants hesitated to book a GP appointment in that past year, 18% of which was because they didn’t think they were sick enough. Many of us don’t want to waste the GP’s time and without having any real symptoms it sometimes feels easier to brush niggles under the carpet, but if you feel like something isn’t quite right then it is important to investigate.

Dr Martin Thornton says “We know that many chronic illnesses can start with very vague symptoms. Your first sign of heart problems could just be shortness of breath. Your first sign of cancer could just be losing weight. And your first sign of diabetes could just be fatigue – and maybe getting up a few more times in the night to go to the bathroom. “It can be really difficult to put those vague symptoms together, which is why it’s so worrying that so many people are avoiding the long wait on the phone to get to their GP, or worse, are waiting to see if things get worse.”

Health assessment insights

We found that 43% of our research participants were concerned about not getting NHS support to prevent long term illnesses from developing, which sadly as the nation continues to age and sicken, a beleaguered NHS is less able to help us until we reach a point of crisis. This is why we need to focus on preventative health so that we can relieve some of the strain that the NHS is facing when it comes to preventable diseases.

Bluecrest health assessments give you access to valuable insights about what is actually going on inside your body. Whether you have a niggle that’s bothering you or you just want a baseline knowledge to monitor your health, there is an assessment for you.

Regular health check-ups are vital for early detection and prevention of potential health issues. By staying on top of your health intelligence, you can address concerns before they become serious problems. Bluecrest offers in-depth health assessments that provide valuable insights into your overall health. It’s not just about understanding our health at a moment in time - our health can change so quickly, and much of the time without us experiencing any symptoms. By monitoring this year on year, you can stay in control of your health and make the lifestyle adjustments needed as you age. It really is the smart way to be confident about your health – both today and tomorrow.

What's next?

So, you’ve had your health assessment, what’s next?

If your results come back and there is anything of concern you will be given information about the next steps, this may include lifestyle advice such as changing your diet, exercise habits or modifying other lifestyle behaviours. Sometimes the advice may be that further investigation and discussion with a health care professional is needed. Our results showed 65% were concerned about long waiting lists to get to the point of diagnosis, by completing a health assessment before visiting a GP means they won’t have to do all the detective work

The importance of acting early

Acting early when it comes to your health can be one of the best decisions you can make for your health.

Bluecrest’s Chief Technology Officer, Neil talks about how he took advantage of his workplace benefit for a Bluecrest health assessment “I was genuinely curious to experience the product we offer, and while I had a few minor concerns about my blood pressure, I considered myself pretty healthy.”

When he received his results, they showed high PSA levels “At first, I didn’t think much of it.” A couple of months later while talking to his GP, Neil mentioned the elevated PSA levels and they ran a follow-up test which confirmed the results found during his health assessment. “After a few months of PSA monitoring, an MRI revealed two growths in my prostate and a later biopsy confirmed it – I had stage 1 prostate cancer.”

Neil explains “because it was caught early, I didn’t have to rush into anything. I chose active surveillance – regular PSA testing plus annual MRI scans. I know at some point I’ll need treatment, but I’ve had time to come to terms with it. There’s no emergency, no panic, no need to jump into something without preparation”

“I’m proud that our product is, quite literally, lifesaving.”

You can read more of Neil’s story here

Want to find out insights about your health? Book your health assessment today!

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